Photo Credit: Christopher Macsurak

On Dec. 21, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul made transparency and equity in the modeling industry high fashion by signing the New York State Fashion Workers Act into law, taking effect on June 19, 2025. The Fashion Workers Act S.9832 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A.5631E (Reyes) is an innovative law that addresses the legal loopholes through which model management companies have escaped accountability and created an environment ripe for abuse.